Oram frustrates Australian bowlers

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New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram has continued his strong
batting performance in the first test against Australia today to
help push his team's total to 353 .

Oram was on an unbeaten 126 today, with the New Zealand
team all out for 353.

The tall left-hander scored 62 of the 102 runs in the morning
session and was ably supported by Daniel Vettori (21), Kyle Mills
(29) and Chris Martin (0).

Oram became only the fourth New Zealander to score a century in
his first Test innings against Australia when he dabbed into the
covers for a rushed two off Jason Gillespie shortly before
lunch.

The 198cm all-rounder then pulled Gillespie for six over long-on
and cut him to the extra cover boundary off the next two balls.

The following over he smashed Michael Kasprowicz for successive
leg-side sixes.

It was his second century for the Black Caps in 16 Tests and
surpasses his unbeaten 119 against South Africa in Hamilton earlier
this year.

The New Zealand scorecard indicates a fightback after a slow
start yesterday when the visitors were 5-142 at tea.

At stumps last night New Zealand was 7-250.

The three New Zealand wickets to fall today were
Daniel Vettori, caught by Shane Warne off the bowling of Michael
Kasprowicz, Kyle Mills who was caught by Matthew Hayden off a Shane
Warne delivery, and Chris Martin who was caught by Ricky
Ponting, also from a Warne ball.